EUROFAB PROJECT : A CLEAR SUCCESS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT OF PLUTONIUM AND MOX FUELS

Agreements between the United States and Russia to dispose of surplus weapon-grade plutonium provided the basis for the United States government and its agency, the Department of Energy (DOE), to enter into contracts with industry leaders to fabricate mixed oxide (MOX) fuels for use in existing domestic commercial reactors. DOE contracted with Duke, AREVA NC, Stone and Webster (DCS) to design a Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MFFF) which would be built and operated at the DOE Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. In parallel, DOE commissioned fabrication and irradiation of lead test assemblies in one of the Mission Reactors to assist in obtaining NRC approval for batch implementation of MOX fuel prior to the production phase of the MFFF facility. This orientation from DOE conducted to implement the EUROFAB project and work was initiated on November 7th, 2003. EUROFAB project consisted of the following major tasks: - Preparation of 140 kg of weapons grade plutonium oxide at LANL. - Shipment of the PuO2 from LANL to Charleston, South Carolina using security vehicles. • - Transatlantic shipment of the PuO2 powder to France via Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL) armed convoy in October 04• - Shipment of the PuO2 powder from Cherbourg, France to AREVA Cadarache plant. - Fabrication of pellets and rods at Cadarache and fabrication of four MOX fuel assemblies (Lead Assemblies-LAs) at AREVA MELOX. - Shipment of completed MOX fuel assemblies and excess fuel rods from AREVA MELOX to Cherbourg. - - Transatlantic shipment via PNTL of completed fuel assemblies and excess fuel rods to Charleston, South Carolina in April 05• - Shipment of the Lead Assemblies via road to Catawba 1 and shipment of the excess fuel rods to LANL. Based on its vast experience of shipments, the Business Unit Logistics (TN International, Transnuclear Inc., PacTec) provided all necessary transport equipment, expertise and solutions to implement with safety and security requirements all complex and sensitive shipments. EUROFAB project is a major step for disposing of surplus weapon-grade plutonium and is a proven example of international transport of plutonium and MOX fuels.: